USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > Annals of Annapolis : comprising sundry notices of that old city from the period of the first settlements in its vicinity in the year 1649, until the war of 1812 ; together with various incidents in the history of Maryland, derived from early records, public documents, and other sources ; with an appendix, containing a number of letters from General Washington, and other distinguished persons, which letters have never been published before > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
185
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
treble our number. In this situation we stood from sunrise to twelve o'clock, the enemy firing upon us the chief part of the time, when the main body of their army, by a rout we never dreamed of, had entirely surrounded us, and drove within the lines, or scattered in the woods, all our men, except the Delaware and Maryland battalions, who were standing at bay with double their number, broke the enemy's lines and forced their way through.'
'Many thought they would surrender in a body, without firing; when they began the attack, general Washington wrung his hands, and cried out, good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose ! Major Gist commanded the Maryland battalion, the colonel and lieutenant-colonel being both at New York. All our officers behaved extremely well. Captain Smith and lieut. Steret conducted their companies to a charm." 'Our army was drove to the lines. The enemy came within one hundred and fifty yards of our fort, but were repulsed with great loss.'
'A list of Maryland officers made prisoners at Long Island.
'Capt. Daniel Bowie, wounded ; lieutenants William Steret, William Ridgely, Hatch Dent, Walter Muse, Samuel Wright, Joseph Butler, wounded, Edward Praul, Edward de Courcy ; ensigns James Fernandes, William Courts.'
On Friday, the 21st of March, 1777, Thomas
1777. Johnson, Junior, Esquire, the first republican governor of Maryland, was proclaimed at the state- house, in the presence of a great number of people, all of whom expressed the highest satisfaction on the occasion ; after which a procession was formed, con-
16*
186
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
sisting of the several branches of the government, mayor and city authorities, military, strangers and citizens.
On a signal of three vollies of small arms from the soldiery, who were paraded in front of the state- house, thirteen cannon were fired.
The procession then repaired to the 'coffee-house' and partook of a sumptuous entertainment, during which many patriotic toasts were drank. The whole concluded with an elegant ball in the evening.
'On Thursday, the 21st of August, between two and three hundred sail of British ships-of-war, trans- ports, &c., passed the mouth of this harbour, (Anna- polis,) about 9 o'clock, A. M., and stood up the bay.'
Immediately after this fleet had passed Annapolis, governor Johnson issued his proclamation, calling on all the county lieutenants, field and other officers of the militia of the western shore of this state, to march at least two full companies of each battalion imme- diately to the neighbourhood of the Susquehanna river, in Cecil and Harford counties, and in concluding the proclamation, says, 'to defend our liberties, requires our exertions ; our wives, our children, and our coun- try, implore our assistance : motives amply sufficient to arm every one who can be called a man.' The governor received information by express, that the eastern shore militia 'were collecting in great num- bers, determined to make the most obstinate resistance against this invasion of the State.'
Mr. Griffith, in his 'Annals of Baltimore,' says, 'Lord Howe's fleet anchored near the mouth of Pa- tapsco river, but proceeded to Turkey point, on Elk river, near which the British army under sir William
187
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
Howe was landed.' That, 'the independent company now under captain John Sterett, trained as infantry, mounted their own horses, proceeded to watch the enemy on the bay side, and arriving before them at the head of it, joined the main army, including the Maryland line, near Newport, but were then ordered back by the commander-in-chief to assist in protecting their homes.'
'On the 11th September, was fought the battle of Brandywine, at which the Maryland line was present and shared the disasters of the day.'
'General Smallwood, with Maryland militia, includ- ing captains Sterett, Cox and Bailey's companies from Baltimore, joined general Wayne the 21st September, immediately after Grey's sanguinary night attack on the Americans at the Paoli.
'Those companies in which many citizens who left numerous families dispersed about the country, or exposed to the depredations of the maritime forces of the enemy in the bay, went in the ranks volunteers, shared in the route of Wayne and in the more equal conflict at Germantown, 4th of October, at which place the patriotic Cox, with several of his towns- men, laid down their lives in their country's cause.
'At the same time colonel Smith commanding a small detachment of continental troops at fort Mifflin, with the aid of commodore Hazlewood's flotilla, in which lieutenant Barney then served, was successfully opposing the passage of Howe's fleet, which had returned from the Chesapeake into Delaware, for which congress voted the colonel a sword.'
'The gloom occasioned by the passage of the fleet to Philadelphia was soon reversed, and confidence
1
188
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
generally and forever restored, by the news which arrived here on the 21st October, of the success of general Gates at Saratoga, and the surrender of gene- ral Burgoyne and his whole army four days before.' 1778. 'Early in 1778, Count Pulaski's legion of cavalry and infantry, raised partly in this State, was organized here. The corps suffered severely in Jersey in the same year, and the next lost their gallant commander in Georgia.
'On the 28th of June, the British were unsuccess- fully attacked, but finally retired from the fields of Monmouth, in Jersey, where the Maryland line shared the danger and the glory of the day .?
'ANNAPOLIS, July 9, 1779.
1779. 'Extract of a letter from commodore Grason,
on board the Chester galley, to his excellency, our governor.
'On Monday morning (the 28th of June,) we weighed and stood out to sea, at 8 o'clock saw a ship and a schooner standing in for Cape Henry, and immediately gave them chase, till within about two leagues of them, they then tacked and stood towards us, which gave me an opportunity of getting nearer the Cape, and in shoal water, when we were about three leagues from Cape Charles, and four miles from
* At the attack on Savannah, 'while penetrating the works at the head of about two hundred horse, in order to charge in the rear, Count Pulaski received a mortal wound.' -- 4th vol. Marshall's Life of Washington. The brave Count Pulaski died of his wound on the 13th of October, and his corpse was carried to Charlestown, and there interred with great military funeral pomp, and with every other mark of respect that a generous and grateful people could show a hero, who had sacrificed his life in defence of their liberties.'-Mary- land Gazette, Nov, 12, 1779.
0
0
189
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
the ship, it fell almost calm. I then anchored, hoping she would have done the same, but she still kept under way ; finding the tide driving her further from us, as soon as the crew had dined, which was half past two o'clock in the afternoon, we weighed and rowed down to her; at four we fired a shot, which she returned with a broadside; in about ten minutes the action became general, and continued without intermission till after sun-set, when the wind sprung fresh up southerly, she then made all the sail in her power, and stood to sea, we continued the chase till near ten o'clock, at which time she was quite out of gun-shot ; we then hauled in for the land. She was quite a clean ship, just out of port, mounted with 18 four and six pounders, and two stern chasers on one deck, four carriage guns and several swivels on the quarter deck and forecastle. I have the greatest pleasure in assur- ing your excellency, that the officers and men behaved with great conduct and bravery, and that we had not one man killed or wounded, except captain Dashiell, who received a slight wound on his hip-bone by a cannon-ball.'
1780. The winter of 1780, was one of unusual severity, the Chesapeake bay was frozen from its head to the mouth of the Potomac. For many days together persons travelled from Annapolis to Poplar Island, Rock Hall, and Baltimore, on the ice, and crossed to and from Kent Island in carts and carriages, a distance of seven miles across ; the ice was six or seven inches thick. It is said to have been one of the coldest winters ever known in our climate.
On the 8th of September, of this year, the tidings of Baron de Kalb's death reached Annapolis, he having
190
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
died from wounds received at the battle near Camden, South Carolina. His death was much regretted by the citizens, to whom he had greatly endeared himself by his manly virtues, and patriotic bearing, while he sojourned in this city. And such was the esteem in which this veteran, the hero and patriot of the two Hemispheres, was held by the American congress, that soon after his death was known, in the fullness of their gratitude and deep sense of his eminent services in the cause of American liberty, passed the following resolution :
'In Congress, October, 1780.
'Resolved, That a monument be erected to the me- mory of the late major-general, the Baron de Kalb, in the city of Annapolis, in the State of Maryland,' with the following inscription :
"Sacred to the memory of THE BARON DE KALB, Knight of the royal order of military merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and Major-general in the service of the United States of America.
Having served with honour and reputation for three years, He gave a last and glorious proof of his attachment to the liberties of mankind, and the cause of America, In the action near Camden, in the State of South Carolina, on the 16th August, 1780; Where, leading on the troops of the Maryland and Delaware lines, against superior numbers, and animating them by his example to deeds of valour,
m
of
of
ma
B
a th
S
191
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
He was pierced with many wounds, and on the 19th following expired, in the 4Sth year of his age. The Congress of the United States of America, in gratitude to his zeal, services and merit, have erected this monument.'
Thus it seems that congress, impelled by a patriotic and laudable spirit of gratitude and justice to the me- mory of this great man, passed the above resolve, and doubtless in good faith to have this mark of their sense of De Kalb's merit carried into execution. But why it may be inquired, has this monument to heroic worth never been erected ? Has congress determined by this delay to sanction the stigma, which has often been cast upon the gratitude of republics? Sixty years have elapsed, and yet the congress of a great and free nation neglects to redeem its plighted faith to the ashes of the departed patriot ! !
It is ardently to be hoped that some gallant son of the patriots of '76, will urge, and successfully urge, the speedy execution of this righteous and just resolve of an American congress.
Annapolis, of all others, is the place where this monument should be erected, as then wisely deter- mined by congress. The immortal De Kalb com- manded the 'glorious old Maryland line,' he was well known and loved here, and to this day his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many of the inhabitants of the 'ancient city,' whose ancestors saw, conversed with, and blessed him.
Extracts from letters, relating to the battle of Cam- den, South Carolina.
-
192
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
'BALTIMORE, August 29th, 1780.
'On the 16th inst., at two o'clock, A. M., a bloody battle was fought between his excellency, general Gates, at the head of about 3000 men, 900 of whom were regulars, and the British forces under the com- mand of earl Cornwallis, consisting of 1800 regulars, and 2400 refugees. The contending armies engaged each other with the greatest fury, and the prospect for some time was extremely favourable to the American troops, who charged bayonets on the enemy, which obliged them to give ground, and leave some of their artillery in the possession of our advancing troop.'
'WILLIAMSBURG, September 2.
'Since my last, advice is received from general Gates, very few of Sumpter's party have suffered, our greatest loss is the baggage and stores. Eter- nal honour is due to the Maryland and Delaware bri- gades, they killed and wounded upwards of 500 of the enemy, and made their retreat good. De Kalb is mortally wounded .*
* The Baron de Kalb, while making a vigorous charge at the head of a regiment of infantry, fell under eleven wounds. His aid-de- camp, lieutenant-colonel Du Buysson, embraced him, announced his rank and nation to the surrounding foe, and begged that they would spare his life. While he thus generously exposed himself to save his friend, he received several dangerous wounds, and with his general, was taken prisoner. Although he received every attention and asststance it was in the power of the conquerors to bestow, the Baron expired in a few hours. He spent his last breath in dictating a letter expressive of the warmest affection for the officers and men of his division ; of the great satisfaction he derived from the testi- mony given by the British of the bravery of his troops"; of his own admiration of the firm opposition they had made to a superior force, after being deserted by the rest of the army ; of the infinite plea- sure he received from the gallant behaviour of the Delaware regiment,
ric -
and ende he cc erecte bis w Wash
t fr cl e th re
193
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
'The second Maryland brigade, which was on the right, was the last engaged ; the efforts of those troops to recover the day was heroically brave.'
1781. On the 17th of January, was fought the battle of the Cowpens, in which the Maryland troops were again distinguished. Chief Justice Mar- shall in his life of Gen. Washington, in giving the de- tails of this battle-says, 'believing the fate of the day to be decided, the British pressed on with increased ardor, and in some disorder; and when the Ameri- cans halted, were within thirty yards of them. The orders, then given by Col. Howard to face the enemy, were executed as soon as they were received ; and the whole line poured in upon them a fire as deadly as it was unexpected. Perceiving the confusion occasioned by this sudden fire, Howard seized the critical mo- ment, and ordered his regiment to charge them with the bayonet. These orders were instantly obeyed, and, the British line was broken.' 'The British were driven from the ground with considerable slaughter, and were closely pursued. Both Howard and Washington press- ed the advantage they had respectively gained, until the artillery and a great part of the infantry had sur- rendered.'
'This complete and decisive victory cost the Ame- ricans in killed and wounded, less than eighty men.'
'Seldom has a battle in which greater numbers were
and the companies of the artillery attached to his brigades, and of the endearing sense he entertained of the merit of the whole division he commanded. Congress afterwards directed a monument to be erected to his memory, with an inscription, testifying their sense of his worth and gratitude for his services.'-4th vol. Marshall's Life of Washington.
17
e,
1 S
D
e
194
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
not engaged, been so important in its consequences as that of the Cowpens. By it, Lord Cornwallis was not only deprived of a fifth of his numbers, but lost, so far as respected infantry, that active part of his army, which, in the species of war about to be entered on, is most useful to those who possess it, and most terrible to an enemy. Had the issue of the engage- ment been such as was to have been expected from the relative strength of the two detachments, and Mor- gan's corps, like that of Buford, been cut to pieces, it is impossible to say what consequences would have resulted to the southern States.'*
In March of this year Annapolis was blockaded by two British sloops-of-war, the 'Hope' and 'Monk'- which for a time prevented the French troops from proceeding to the Head of Elk. Marquis de La- fayette, who commanded these troops-and who was then at Annapolis, raised the blockade by a manœuvre, which would have done credit to a practical cruiser : and which is mentioned in a letter written imme- diately after his arrival at the Head of Elk, to general Washington.t
* Fourth vol. Marshall's Life of Washington.
'Head of Elk, April 8, 1781.
t Extract .- 'On my arrival at Annapolis, I found that our prepara= tions were far from promising a speedy departure. The difficulty of getting wagons and horses, is immense. There are not boats suffi- cient to cross over the ferries. The state were very desirous of keeping us as long as possible, as they were scared by the apparition of the Hope of twenty guns, and the Monk of eighteen guns-which blockaded the harbour, and which as appears from intercepted letters, were determined to oppose our movements. In these circumstances, I thought it better to continue my preparations for a journey by land, which, I am told, would have lasted ten days on account of ferries ;.
eig en
a
0
C
195
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
On the 18th of July, 1781-at a meeting of the citi- zens of Annapolis-Charles Wallace, Esq. in the chair, and George Ranken, clerk, was taken into considera- tion 'the late law of the general assembly, for the emission of two hundred thousand pounds, to defray the expenses of the present campaign ; and the sub- scription and association recommended by the legis- lature, to support the credit and value of the said emission'-it was among other things, resolved by the said meeting-'that as sufficient means could not be raised to carry on the war by taxes-that the emit- ting of bills of credit was necessary, and deemed it to be the duty, and real interest of every citizen of the State-who was determined to prosecute the war in defence of his property and liberty, to exert every effort to support the value of the said bills of credit, at par with gold and silver-and that every man ought to associate to receive the said bills at par.
James Brice, Jeremiah T. Chase, Allen Quynn, Frederick Green, Nicholas Maccubbin, jr. Samuel H. Howard, and Thomas Harwood, Esquires, were ap- pointed a committee, to attend to the conduct of asso- ciators, and to see that none of them violated their faith and honour, by wilfully depreciating the said bills of credit-and that they should publish the name of any such offender, who should be deemed infamous, and
and, in the meantime, I had two eighteen pounders put on board a small sloop, which appeared ridiculous to some, but proved to be of great service.
'On the morning of the 6th, commodore Nicholson went out with the sloop, and another vessel full of men. Whether the sound of eighteen pounders, or the fear of being boarded, operated upon the enemy, I am not able to say ; but, after some manœuvres, they re- treated so far as to render it prudent for us to sail for this place.'
4
of of ch
:
. B
l
196
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
that to deal or associate thereafter with such an one, should be considered as dishonourable. That the credit of the paper money depended solely on public opinion, and must receive its value from the associa- tion of the principal merchants and inhabitants of Bal- timore town, and the principal farmers in the several counties-all of whom were earnestly recommended to receive it at par, with specie.
In August, 1781-we are told, that two thousand three hundred militia, were assembled at Annapolis, on one day's notice, from Baltimore town, and its vicinity-when an attack was apprehended from the British fleet which had entered the bay, but which passed up York river, and landed their troops at Glou- cester and York.
This fact, which evinces the ardor that prevailed amongst our militia of that day, is deemed too credit- able to their patriotic spirit, to be passed, unnoticed.
On the 28th of the same month, the third Maryland regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Peter Adams, marched from this city to join the southern army. This regiment was raised here-and is said to have had 'all the appearance of a veteran corps'-they were enlisted for three years, and were well equipped for the field. The mutual good offices which had been exchanged between the citizens, and officers of this regiment while here, rendered their departure a cause of much regret. The ardor that pervaded their ranks, on the prospect of taking the field, and their military appearance, inspired every beholder with a pleasing confidence, that they would render essential services, and be an honour to their country ; nor did they disap- point these expectations-as it is well known that the
197
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
Maryland troops discharged their duty both in the camp, and on the battle field ; and exhibited examples of intrepidity and military perfection, seldom equalled by the oldest troops.
The recruiting service then carried on at this place, was under the direction of major-general Smallwood, whose distinguished services in the field, were only equalled by his unremitted attention to this important branch of the service.
On the 7th of September in the same year, the 4th Maryland regiment, commanded by major Alexander Roxburgh, marched from this city to join the Marquis de La Fayette. This regiment had its full comple- ment, consisting of upwards of six hundred rank and file. When we consider the short time in which the two regiments above mentioned were raised, it affords ad- ditional testimony of the zeal and ability with which Maryland aided in prosecuting the war, and establish- ing our independence.
On the 12th of September, a fleet of transports . arrived here, from the Head of Elk, having on board the artillery, grenadiers, and light troops of the allied army, on their route to James' river. And on the 18th, about four thousand French troops, with a train of artillery, marched into the city from the northward, on their way to Virginia.
At this time there were anchored off the mouth of our harbour, the 'Romulus,' 'Gentile,' and several other frigates belonging to America's illustrious ally. This must have been a spirit-stirring scene to our little city-and made all hearts feel confident in the success of the common cause.
On the 8th of September in this year, was fought 17*
198
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS,
the battle of Eutaw-where the troops of Maryland, commanded by the 'hero of the Cowpens,' again dis- tinguished themselves.
Extract of a letter, dated
'CAMP, at Trout Springs, September 12th, 1781.
'The battle of Eutaw, which was fought the 8th instant, happened upon the same ground, on which according to the tradition of this country, a memo- rable battle was fought above a century past, between a body of speculating Europeans, and the natives of the soil. In the first we are told, six hundred men fell, and we find an Indian mound erected as a monu- ment to perpetuate their glory. In the second, double that number were killed and wounded; but whether this christian nation will give such an honourable testi- mony of the great worth of those who now sleep in the bed of honour, is a matter not to be expected. Our victory was complete, though the fate of the day mingled sorrows in the triumph. I will enclose you a list of the killed and wounded of the Maryland bri- gade, &c. which will give you a tolerable idea of the importance of the action.
'General Greene, who is one of the bravest and best soldiers himself, is highly satisfied with the behaviour of the troops in general, but particularly with our bri- gade ; he saw them make a charge with trailed arms through the hottest of the enemy's fire, and was so delighted with their firmness and vivacity, that he rode up to me, and complimented them in the field. He has also done it in general orders, and made the Vir- ginians a compliment in the same style. They behaved with equal courage.
'If any former misconduct or accident in war had
199
ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
left a stain upon the Maryland troops, their exemplary conduct upon this occasion should obliterate it forever. Around the monument which I mentioned, four of our excellent officers and many of our brave brother sol- diers fell. Let them rest in that ancient bed of ho- nour. May their virtues only be remembered, and their spirits enjoy eternal glory.'
'Officers killed and wounded in the Maryland bri- gade.
'Captains Dobson and Edgerly, and lieutenants Du- vall and Gold, killed. Lieutenant-colonel Howard, wounded in the shoulder; Captain J. Gibson, in the arm; Lieutenant Hugon, in the groin; Lieutenant Woolford, thigh broke; Lieutenant Ewing, danger- ously in the body ; Lieutenant Lynn, leg broke; En- sign Moor, thumb shot off.'
General Greene thought himself principally indebted for this victory, to the free use made of the bayonet by the Maryland and Virginia troops.
The first intelligence of the surrender of Lord Corn- wallis was communicated by the Count de Grasse, in a letter to the governor of this State-and reached Annapolis, on Saturday evening, the 20th of October, 1781, by express-and which was hailed by the joyful acclamations of the citizens, and firing of the artillery. And on Monday afternoon, a feu de joie was fired by the artillery, and select militia, and in the evening the town was brilliantly illuminated.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.